First off trading him is not the only solution. You seem to think that people who feel that TT shouldn't be starting and logging heavy minutes means automatically that he should be traded. Why can't he play a role similar to Taj Gibson or a young Andy who comes off the bench? You must be really be blinded by this dude switching hands lol. He's average at best and I'm not holding my breath for him to take the next step and be an anchor at the PF spot if we're talking playoffs. You can if you want.
I responded to your question about "rolling the dice" on TT, that has nothing to do with limiting his minutes. I thought you were questioning the upcoming contract extension on TT, which we've been speculating about the past few pages. It would actually make sense with your gambling analogy as well.
And stop putting words in my mouth. I never said TT couldn't play a role similar to Taj Gibson, my main argument was always AB shouldn't be starting over him. Did we all forget how bad AB was or something?
You can go back and re-read my posts, I've always maintained Bennett has a chance to start going into next training camp if he puts everything together. I'm just not ready to make that gamble yet, especially with how poorly AB showed this year. Other posters have suggested trading TT this offseason, I've argued that decision doesn't have to made until next year.
Besides, who are you calling smart here? We've been sucking it up for a long time so don't give me that shit about how other organizations are stupid compared to the current Cavs regime.
I used the Kings as an example, they're right up there in the running for worst-ran NBA franchise of the last 10 years. You don't think the Kings are stupid? 2nd longest postseason drought in the NBA. They've traded or released 2 different top ten picks (Thomas Robinson & Jimmer Ferdette) they've drafted themselves in the past 3 years. They also traded a future first round pick for JJ Hickson. And the most damning evidence the Kings have absolutely no clue on what they're doing? They traded for Rudy Gay, and Rudy Gay's ungodly, mammoth contract.
So yes, the Cavs are smart compared to some teams.
According to what exactly? Every single stats says TT is not a good defender, and when watching the games, it confirms the stats. He doesn't look good defensively.
Opponent PER shows TT being the best defensive big on the team ahead of Andy. TT is currently the 2nd best big on our team in points per possession allowed according to Synergy, which IMO is the best single-number indicator you can use to gauge a player's defensive ability.
Andy - .84
Tristan - .89
Zeller- .9
AB - 1.03
Hawes - 1.09
If you go back a year you'll see TT at .84, Andy at .71, and Zeller at 1.03, further cementing TT as a plus-defensive player over his career.
How does Tristan not look good defensively? I think he defended Bosh well last night. Bosh had his own personal run of 9 consecutive points in the 4th with Andy guarding him, not Tristan.
He defends the pick and roll extremely well, his shows and recoveries are the best on the team. He's got great quickness and can play in space, he regularly surprises ball handlers with his size on the perimeter with well timed shows. He even forced an easy turnover tonight by poking a ball away and running out an easy dunk. His man-to-man defense is also solid, he can be scored on but he contests almost every shot his man puts up.
He's not the bad defensive player he's being made out to be, and the numbers back this up.